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ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



DELAWARE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



/ 



WILMINGTON, 



On the 24th of September, 1851. 






BY 






G. EMERSON, M.D 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE-SQCIETY. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, PRINTERS 

1851. 



<b2> 



\0 6 



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Wilmington, September 27th, 1851. 
Dr. G. Emerson: — 

Dear Sir — It gives me pleasure in compliance with the request of the Dela- 
ware Horticultural Society, to forward to you the following minutes: — 

At a special meeting of the Delaware Horticultural Society, held on the 27th 
inst., it was, on motion of Dr. J. F. Wilson, unanimously 

Resolved — That the thanks of this Society be presented to Dr. G. Emerson, 
of Philadelphia, for his interesting and appropriate address delivered at the 
late exhibition. 

On motion of John Gorgas it was unanimously 

Resolved — That a committee of three be appointed to request a copy of the 
same for publication. 

The President appointed John Gorgas, Edward Tatnall, Jr., and Dr. J. F. 
Wilson, on said committee. 

On motion of E. Bringhurst, 

Resolved— That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to furnish Dr. 
Emerson a copy of the foregoing resolutions. 

With high regard, I am yours, &c, 

EDWARD TATNALL, JR., Cor. Sec. 



Philadelphia, September 30th, 1851. 
Dear Sir — I have received yours of the 27th inst., communicating the kind 
and complimentary resolutions which the Delaware Horticultural Society has 
Been good to pass in relation to the address lately delivered before its members. 
With the sincerest acknowledgments for such flattering tokens of their favor, 
and kind regards for your individual friendly expressions, I remain, 

Very respectfully, yours, &c, 

G. EMERSON. 
To Edward Tatnall, Esq., 

Cor. Sec. of the Delaware Horticultural Society. 



ADDRESS. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : — 

The call recently made upon me to deliver an address at 
your annual exhibition, would have been declined, had I not felt that 
compliance with any wish emanating from citizens of my native 
State, had claims upon me paramount to all ordinary engagements. 
Since the arrival of the day fixed upon for the performance of my 
promise, I find that circumstances beyond my control have inter- 
fered to rob me of so much time, that it has been impossible to do 
full justice to any subject which I could desire to bring before you 
for your better entertainment and instruction. 

In coming to Wilmington, I find myself surrounded by many of 
my oldest and best friends. Much of my life has been passed away 
from the paternal roof in the adjoining County of Kent, and lands 
with grander features than there or here exist have often attracted 
my attention and called forth my admiration. Still, with the fading 
first impressions created by distant prospects, I have never ceased to 
revert with heartfelt delight to the less pretending scenes among 
which I roved in boyhood. Amidst those scenes, one of the natural 
objects which has left the strongest impression upon my "mind is the 
Liriodendron, or Tulip Poplar Tree, as it presents itself in the rich 
alluvial soils bordering our noble bay. Attaining there an elevation 
of sometimes more than two hundred feet, with a diameter of eight 
or nine feet, expanding its huge branches and luxuriant glossy foliage 
on every side, when studded in the spring with its rich-colored tulips, 
it presents a floral pyramid unrivalled for abundance and beauty in 
the whole arborea of nature. We hear of the extraordinary heights 
of trees in California and Oregon, and of the Mango and Banyan 
trees of the Indies, stretching themselves over roods of ground. But 
the claim for precedence which is here made for our poplar is based 



upon stateliness and floral exuberance combined. Towering high 
above the common level of the country, with summits often crowned 
by the spacious nests of the eagle, in the absence of mountains, 
these giants of the forest forcibly impress the mind with the grandeur 
of nature ! 

The productions of the soil of Delaware would seem to make it a 
connecting link between its northern and southern sisters. About 
the middle of the State a rich botanical region exists, abounding in 
specimens of southern plants. In the vicinity of Dover, the mock- 
ing-bird has its farthest northern hibernation, remaining during the 
whole winter, to gladden the heart with its varied song. 

The subjects legitimately claiming the attention of your society are 
those connected with flowers and fruits. How extensive the range 
presented, may be inferred from the very numerous books written and 
periodicals published relating to them. In the library of a horticul- 
tural society, where I chanced to be a few days since, I laid my 
hand accidentally upon a large work in two folio volumes, treating 
exclusively upon a species of rose which I had never heard of before. 
Where so many interesting topics invite, how difficult to concentrate 
attention upon a single one. Shall I first enter the beautiful parterre 
fascinating on all sides with its flowers of every hue, brilliancy and 
exquisite perfume ? or pass into the vineyard or orchard, where lus- 
cious fruits are weighing down the vines and branches as if to excite 
one's compassion to relieve them of some of their weight? These 
divided affections for Flora and Pomona, bring to mind the picture 
by Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing the versatile Garrick beset by 
Tragedy and Comedy, each striving to draw him away exclusively to 
herself, whilst he is evincing the greatest bewilderment, as undecided 
which to follow. On the present occasion, laying aside all my earn- 
est devotion to fruit culture and ordinary utilitarian predilections, 
I shall yield myself almost entirely to the consideration of objects 
which have manifestly been scattered over the creation with a view to 
its decoration. I propose to follow Flora into some of her more ex- 
clusive and aristocratic domains, and shall endeavor to lay before you 
interesting information relative to the achievements of her most fa- 
vored votaries both abroad and on this side of the Atlantic. 

Flowers clearly appertain to the poetical realm of our terrestrial 
lome. By their beauty and fragrance they appeal to the senses and 
awaken sentiments, as music does by addressing the ear. A close 
relationship between music and flowers seems to have been recognized 



at all times, and has been beautifully illustrated in the classic pages. 
In our own day, see the prima donna who has just entranced a mul- 
titude with her seraphic strains, as, crowned with the floral wreath, 
and almost borne down by the shower of bouquets, she gracefully 
makes her acknowledgments. What is this but a realization of the 
ancient fable of Euterpe, the myth presiding over music, always re- 
presented as crowned with flowers? Music and flowers seem com- 
missioned for kindred purposes, their duties being to elevate the soul 
to higher perfections than exist here below, and to deck and cheer 
the paths of life that would otherwise be left so dreary. Flowers 
have a meaning and language of their own. Some of them are 
chosen to form the bouquet of the lover, others to compose a chaplet 
for the bride. They deck the banqueting tables of the festive, and 
add brilliancy to the saloons of the gay. But flowers are also ap- 
propriated to very different purposes, as when placed with holy reve- 
rence upon the shrine of a favorite saint, strewed in their freshness 
around the still beautiful form of the dead infant, or suspended in 
wreaths upon the tombs of those who "sleep the sleep that knows no 
waking." The Moravians adorn the graves of their dead relatives 
and friends by cultivating upon each a small patch of the mountain 
pink. Led upon a time by accident to one of their cemeteries thus 
simply decked with these humble flowers, my mind was most pleas- 
ingly impressed, for it seemed as if the presence of the fresh tokens 
of affectionate remembrance nurtured by the living, relieved the rest- 
ing place of the dead from much of its ordinary gloom. P£re la 
Chaise and Laurel Hill abound with flowers dedicated to the memories 
of the departed. In these celebrated cemeteries, however, those of 
more brilliant and varied hues are associated with "storied urn and 
animated bust." But even when accompanying the productions of 
high art, flowers in such places never fail to blend with sorrow some 
pleasing impressions. 

Whilst flowers thus gladden the eye, regale the senses, refine the 
sentiments, and even tend to deprive the cup of grief of some of its 
bitterness — fruits may be regarded as the realizations of hopes pro- 
mised in the bud — the rewards of confiding expectation, and often of 
long waiting. 

I cannot withhold a passing tribute to the Fruit Department 
of this Society's exhibition, which I have examined with the great- 
est interest and advantage. The present excellent display is the 
more remarkable from the unusual character of the season. Never, 



8 

perhaps, within the memory of any one present, has there been a 
year in which early blights and latter droughts have contributed so 
much to diminish the fruits of the earth in. this country, more espe- 
cially in the Atlantic States. As naturally allied to this subject, I 
will take the liberty of inviting the attention of this Society, and of 
all lovers of fine fruit, to the beautiful and highly instructive work 
on American fruits, now in course of publication, under the direction 
of a native of Delaware, and once your fellow-townsman, Dr. Win. 
D. Brinckle. In addition to the admirable and truthful colored em- 
bellishments with which the book abounds, it contains the most valu- 
able practical information, derived from long observation and the 
most enthusiastic devotion to fruit culture. 

Horticulturists, especially those of Europe, are now devoting great 
attention to an extensive family of beautiful and most interesting 
plants, presenting characteristics which constitute them the greatest 
curiosities in the vegetable kingdom. Although by far the largest 
number and most conspicuous members of the tribe are natives of the 
western side of the Atlantic, still are we, North Americans, as yet 
acquainted with a very limited number of them. I refer to what are 
botanically termed epiphytes, plants of the orchid or air-plant family, 
endowed with the rare faculty of being able to live separated from 
earthy soil. Most of those under cultivation in Europe and in this 
country, are derived from the tropical parts of America, and hence 
they demand a high temperature, which during cool weather can only 
be maintained by artificial means. Thus, whilst their rarity makes 
specimens very costly, their culture entails much expense, and both 
circumstances combine — unfortunately for the many — to place the 
orchid-house beyond the reach of any but the more wealthy, a small 
proportion of whom possess taste and liberality sufficient to induce 
them to appropriate a part of their surplus means to such laudable 
purposes. 

Placed in a genial temperature, with an atmosphere well fraught 
with moisture, all that these orchids require for their support is a 
block of wood, piece of rough bark, or rude basket filled with chips, 
moss, or fragments of charcoal. Of all the tenants of the hot-house, 
they would thus seem to be least exacting in their wants. Several 
of the conservatories in and near Philadelphia, contain collections of 
epiphytes, among which the Pitcher Plant and Butterfly Flower 
afford interesting specimens. The first named orchid, has attached 
to the ends of its leaves miniature pitchers, of such graceful forms, 



9 

as, had they been known to the ancients, might be suspected of fur- 
nishing the types of some of their most exquisitely modelled vessels. 
Each little pitcher has its well-fitted lid, that opens or closes as the 
vessel becomes full or empty. In the Island of Ceylon, where one 
variety of this plant, common to our collections — the Nepenthes Dis- 
tillatoria — is found, the pitchers are supplied with water during the 
moist season, through distillation, as the name implies, and not from 
atmospheric deposition. When the dry season arrives, small ligaments 
attached to the lids contract, and the pitchers stand open, as if to 
invite the birds, which resort to them in great quantities, to satisfy 
their thirst. 

The Oncydium Papilio has beautiful blossoms, perched, as it were, 
near the ends of long and leafless stems, which, especially when put 
in motion by the air, present the closest resemblance to some of the 
richest varieties of the beautiful papilio tribe. When the Butterfly 
plant was first introduced into England from Trinidad, its appearance 
in bloom at Chiswick Gardens created a great sensation. "Yet," 
says a beautiful writer, " the Oncydium may be almost considered as 
the most commonplace of the wonderful mimicries in which this fa- 
vorite tribe indulges itself. The works of the Creator are every- 
where wonderful — his ways past finding out; but there are degrees 
of creative excellence; and it appears to us that among the most 
superlative of these, we are to rank the exquisite skill and prodigality 
of beauties lavished upon the orchids. It is ours yet to see that the 
orchis-garland is the most matchless production of all those floral 
rarities with which the love of the great Author of Nature has 
embellished our earth; and in nothing is this excellence of creation 
more wonderful than the mimicries of these extraordinary plants." — 
{Eclectic Revieiv.) 

Though long described by European botanists, and by some in 
terms so enthusiastic as might be naturally supposed to bring them 
into general notice, these most curious and elegant productions of the 
vegetable world remained comparatively obscure until quite recently, 
when they were ushered into notoriety chiefly by Dr. Lindley, Mr. 
Bauer, and Mr. Bateman, in their several most interesting descriptive 
books and other publications. By these means the orchids suddenly 
became not only conspicuous but famous in Europe, and ships were 
sent out to distant lands to be specially freighted with specimens, the 
arrivals of which were anxiously attended by eager and wealthy 
amateurs. About ten years ago, as Mr. Bateman informs us, the 



10 

importation into England was immense. In addition to the spoil 
brought home by Mr. Gibson from the Nepaulese Hills, and which 
reached Chatsworth in the year 1837, Mr. Skinner poured into that 
country the richest treasures of the Barrancas of Guatemala, Mr. 
Cuming sent a profusion of the choicest air-plants from the Philippine 
Islands, and Mr. (now Sir Robert) Schomberg contributed some ex- 
quisite species from the interior of Guiana. But these zealous British 
collectors were all outdone by M. Deschamps, an enterprising French- 
man, who, fitting out a vessel for the express purpose, loaded her at 
Vera Cruz entirely with orchids and cactuses, with which he arrived 
safely in England, where his novel horticultural cargo excited a great 
sensation. During the single year in which this importation was 
made, no less than three hundred different species of orchids were 
introduced into England, and up to the present time large importa- 
tions are continually taking place. These come from the forests and 
mountain cliffs of Mexico, Brazil, and the dense jungles of India and 
Ceylon. Of this unworld-like tribe of plants, which twenty years 
ago was almost unknown, the present number of species actually to 
be found in English conservatories is above two thousand. Such a 
surprisingly rapid accumulation of species could not have been effected 
without the existence of an orchido-mania, during the height of which 
it was not unusual for a new specimen to bring one hundred guineas. 
In those regions of wealth, luxury and elegance, it was not long before 
the recherche' orchids were brought to contribute their floral charms 
and richness of perfume on festival occasions. When suspended in 
drawing-rooms, their unfading beauties continue to furnish subjects of 
admiration sometimes for weeks together. 

This orchido-fever or mania, has not yet broken out in America, 
although at every successive horticultural exhibition held in our large 
cities, the specimens are evidently becoming more and more numerous. 
They require properly constructed houses with artificial heat for their 
preservation and propagation, and these favorable circumstances de- 
mand a combination of elegant tastes, wealth, and liberality, by no 
means common. 

An enthusiastic writer upon orchids, in describing one of the rich 
collections in England, speaks of looking down the fantastic vistas of 
teeming orchis-vegetation, displaying "vegetable diamonds, sapphires, 
emeralds, and rubies, all vital with odoriferous steams." Inviting you 
into the orchid conservatory, or "stove," as it is usually termed in 
the horticultural dialect of England, he shows you above your head 



11 

old stumps of trees all straggled over with wonderful parasites ; cocoa- 
nut shells, casting forth now a feathery vegetation, a miniature copy, 
mayhap, of the splendid parental crown, flowers and stems, and ser- 
pentine roots of the most varied and outlandish aspects ; beyond he 
points you to bundles of fagots rising from the low-spanned roof, orna- 
mented with pendants of living green, and flowers of burnished gold. 
Oyster-shells are the curious receptacles of others, and, dangling within 
reach by a wire, display string after string of vegetable pearls. And 
beyond still the air is full of bits and stumps of wood, of seared and 
tortuous branches, each, and in endless profusion, pouring down such 
a flood of sweet odors, rejoicing in such gorgeous raiment of many 
colors, as would almost induce the belief that the fairy gardens of 
Eastern romance, with their transporting perfumes and jewel-bearing 
vegetation, were no dreams of imagination. 

As we are not yet in the United States possessed of very extensive 
collections of orchids, I hope, from the novelty of the subject to most 
of you, that I shall not try your patience too much if I occupy a 
little more of your time and attention with descriptions of other pe- 
culiarities of this most interesting tribe of plants. 

Among the flowers and foliage everywhere met with in our gardens, 
fields and forests, resemblances more or less striking, of the animal 
creation and even the works of man are to be often met with. As 
instances we may mention the Spider plant, the humble Monkshood, 
the common Dandelion, from the fancied resemblance of its leaves to 
the teeth of the king of beasts, the Uva Ursi or bear's tongue, the 
beautiful Passion flower, with its sacred symbols of the crucifixion, 
and others too numerous to mention on the present occasion. But in 
all these resemblances, the imitative tendency is feeble compared 
to that found in the orchis tribe, where it overleaps all common bounds, 
as the following descriptions culled from those given by Mr. Bateman, 
and the fascinating writer in the Eclectic Hevieiv, to whom Ave have 
just referred, will abundantly show. 

Commencing with the vegetable birds, the flowers of the swan plant 
are among the most remarkable of these. For a long time there was 
but one specimen of these rare plants in England, which was at the 
orchid-house at Hackney. Recently it has become more common. 
In the hotter stoves there are now some of the most lovely of the 
Cycnoches. A beautiful species is the Cycnoches Loddigesii, from 
Surinam, and it was this plant which, on its arrival, struck botanists 
with astonishment at its most marvellous resemblance to the bird. 



12 

Behold, in this flower, the gracefully swelling bosom, the round con- 
tours of the bird finding their elegant representatives in the recurved 
sepals and petals ; while the characteristic feature of the swan is pre- 
sented in the delicate taper neck, which, with its mimic head, turns 
back with the proper sinuosity of pride, as if to plume the feathers. 
The Oycnoches chlorocolon bears flowers of larger dimensions, some- 
times even measuring from five to eight inches in diameter, and ex- 
haling a perfume the most delicious. But choicest of all others, the 
spotted swan plant demands attention. Here is a flower-bird with 
yellow wings, dotted over with brown spots, with a recurved neck, and 
a white crested head. But what are those organs projecting from its 
back ? Can it be ? a couple of expanded hands, with crooked fingers 
dipped in blood! It is even so. But only the pencil can do the 
flower justice ; and then it would probably be thought that a little 
plastic art had aided the mimicry, however unjust the imputation. 
Next to the swans we must place the dove plants. The orchid 
well-known to the initiated as the Perinteria elata, has all the appear- 
ance of a beautiful dove descending, the wings wide expanded, the 
head stooping ; in a word, just such a figure as the old masters depict 
in the scene where our Saviour comes from the water of John's bap- 
tism. In Panama, its native climate, it is regarded with completely 
superstitious reverence as a religious symbol. Besides these, there 
are the loveliest little birds mimicked even to the feathers, and groups 
of songsters on the wing. The orchids which imitate the parts of 
birds are without number. 

Passing to the vegetable insects, we find among these the bee 
orchids, the fly and the spider orchids, with the most perfect imita- 
tions of dragon-flies, mosquitoes, &c. 

In the animal flowers we find the imitative faculty displayed in 
equal strength, for there are, as Mr. Bateman tells us, resemblances 
to tigers, lynxes, leopards, bulls, rams, monkeys, and even to man 
himself. 

In the catalogue of reptiles are found an endless variety of snakes, 
lizards, toads, and frogs. Of shells also there are many kinds. 
Then follows a mixed multitude of masks, cowls, hoods, caps and 
helmets; swords, spurs, crests, pikes, arrows and lances; whiskers, 
eyelashes, beards, bristles, tails, horns, and teeth; combs, slippers, 
trowels, buckets, pouches, and saddles. Nor is this mimicking pro- 
pensity confined to the flowers alone, being equally conspicuous in 
their leaves and pseudo-bulbs, which have been likened to onions, 



13 

cucumbers, bamboos, and palms ; tongues and mouse-tails ; books, 
whips, and straps, swords and needles (Bateman). In one very re- 
markable mimicry, the leaves are, as it were, inscribed all over with 
Arabic characters. 

In fact, there are no limits to the extravagances displayed by these 
plants, and it has been suggested, that should the caricaturist's pencil 
grow feeble, or his imagination flag, he might take with profit a few 
days' recreation among the orchids. As a specimen of the horrific, 
we may refer to the flowers of the Oncydium pectorale, which exhibits 
a ghastly representation of an armless, headless, half-skeleton, with 
the ribs and clavicles all gaunt and bare. Yet this is said to be greatly 
exceeded by that most revolting vegetable monstrosity the Coryanthes 
macrantha. 

The odors emanating from many of the air-plant family are of the 
most delightful kind, without the least pungency, but on the contrary 
delicate, soothing, and never cloying. One modest looking specimen 
will exhale a verbena-like fragrance, another a rich cinnamon or other 
spicy odor, a third the refreshing perfume of the violet, a fourth the 
pleasant scent of the stock gillyflower, a fifth the fragrance of musk 
and honey most delicately commingled, and so on through the whole 
list of sweet smells. Then again, another class of orchids, with that 
whimsicality for which they are so remarkable, emit scents by no 
means agreeable, but on the contrary more repulsive than the com- 
monest drugs or tainted and unpleasing odors. 

It is a great recommendation to orchids that a well-selected collec- 
tion will show plants in flower at all seasons of the year, and that, as 
before noticed, this inflorescence is often so persistent as to remain 
in perfection for several weeks, a characteristic which adds greatly to 
their value as elegant drawing-room ornaments. 

The accumulated riches of the English conservatories, which may 
be faintly imagined from such descriptions, are as nothing when com- 
pared with the displays put forth in the native haunts of the orchids, 
so admirably depicted in the splendid work of Dr. Von Martius, 
descriptive of the travels of Spix and Martius in Brazil. "Mr. 
Theodore Hartwig, an emissary of the Horticultural Society to the 
floral kingdoms of Mexico and Guatemala, says, that in a forest of 
oaks three thousand feet above the level of the sea, not far from 
Zaguapan, in the former country, the trees might be said to groan 
under their weight. The scene was most beautiful, several species 
forming the most fantastical festoons, and hanging in graceful pend- 



14 

ants from the branches. Mr. Henchman declares, that in Demerara 
dense masses occur in situations which would defy all attempts at 
intrusion, and in the Spanish Main he saw the epiphyte commonly 
known as 'the spread eagle,' clasping enormous trees, and covering 
them literally from head to foot in its own extraordinary robes." 

The air-plants to which botanists have given the name of epiphytes, 
and epidendrons, live on trees and rocks in a region above the common 
earth, where many of their orchid relations find humbler dwelling- 
places. For beauty as well as singularity of appearance, the epi- 
phytes are greatly superior to the terrestrial orchids. In visiting our 
extreme southern States, I was exceedingly struck with the immense 
growth of long fleecy moss hanging from the boughs of all the trees, 
and clothing them to their extreme branches. It is entirely different 
from the hard and wiry moss found occasionally on trees in our lati- 
tude. Botanists call it the Tillandsia Usneoides, and although 
strictly a parasite, it has every appearance of a real rootless air- 
plant, gaining its subsistence exclusively from the ambient atmo- 
sphere, fraught with the genial moisture of a southern clime. 

On some of the old aristocratic country places near Charleston, 
now abandoned as uninhabitable by white persons, in consequence of 
the poisonous malaria which gives rise to the deadly "country -fever," 
as it is called, avenues of majestic live-oaks exist amidst the surround- 
ing desolation. These were planted, perhaps, a century and a half 
ago, since which time their boughs have raised themselves aloft and, 
interlacing, form magnificent gothic arches. A look down one of 
these, extending several hundred yards, draped and festooned with 
its gray and sombre hangings, exhibits a most interesting sight, the 
effect produced being of a decidedly mournful character. Never have 
I been so deeply and peculiarly impressed by anything appertaining 
to the vegetable kingdom, as by this abundant mossy drapery, shroud- 
ing all the trees of the extreme south growing within a certain distance 
of the sea, and from such a sight, well can I appreciate the feelings 
with which Mr. Hartwig gazed upon the forest oaks of Guatemala, 
groaning, as he expresses it, under their orchid burdens, disposed in 
graceful pendants from the branches, or hanging in beautiful and 
often fantastic festoons. 

In my observation of epiphytes, there is one of their habits which 
has struck me as not only singular but suggestive of curious thoughts. 
I refer to the direction taken by their flowers, which, instead of being 
elevated upon stems like common flowers, usually hang downwards, 



15 

apparently from long trailing roots, as if conscious that those to 
whose senses they were designed to administer delight dwelt below 
them ! The idea is not perhaps so preposterous as might at first be 
imagined, and I have doubts whether we are justified in denying to 
vegetable life all the privileges of intelligence ! Do not plants often 
astonish us by the wonderful resources they display in providing for 
their security and welfare ! To give an interesting instance : In the 
palm-house of Mr. Dundas, in Philadelphia, there is a fine specimen 
of the screw-pine, which, raising its straight trunk to a considerable 
height, sends out its fan-like or palm-like foliage in a magnificent 
spiral whirl that might, perhaps, furnish a model for an improved 
steamboat propeller. This tree, when small and low, and growing 
in its natural places, is so much under the protection of the higher 
trees around that it is enabled to maintain its erect position with no 
other assistance than its main roots. When, however, it gets so high 
as to be subjected to the power of the winds, it then lets down numer- 
ous small filaments or threads from its body, which, in time, reach 
the ground, penetrate like roots, and, growing to considerable size, 
contribute exactly that kind of support to the tree which shrouds do 
to the masts of a vessel. The screw-pine in Mr. Dundas's palm-house 
has a luxuriant growth and a wide-spread top. Very short filaments 
issue from its body a few feet above the ground ; but none of these 
descend into the soil, because, being under complete shelter, and 
having, of course, no need of help to resist the prostrating power of 
winds, further support is unnecessary. Does not this example seem 
to show a capacity in this species of tree to comprehend its true 
position, and adapt itself to surrounding circumstances ; in fact, a 
latent reasoning power or faculty, through the assistance of which it 
is enabled to deduce consequences justly from premises ? There is 
surely something inherent in the tree, which, when the prostrating 
forces come to bear upon it, instructs it of its danger, so that it sets 
about using the means given it by nature for protection ! On the 
other hand, when in no danger from prostrating forces, there is a 
faculty which recognizes this security and hinders the tree from 
uselessly employing its resources. Is not more exhibited here than 
the exertion of a mere instinctive impulse ? But how can such a 
high privilege be in any degree allowed to plants ? The facts 
stated, with numberless others that could be readily brought forward, 
would seem to show the propriety of doing so. The movements by 
which their intelligence is expressed may not be so rapid as those 



16 

of animals, although the sensitive plant responds so quickly to the 
gentlest touch or breath. However this question may be settled by 
psychologists, it must, I think, be admitted that, in regard to what 
relates to their ultimate safety and welfare, plants often come to 
more just conclusions than creatures taking the credit of possessing 
a monopoly of reason. 

It remains for me to notice the crowning horticultural feat of this 
or any other day, namely, the raising from the seed and developing 
in perfection the great water-lily, called Victoria Regia, with a 
fine specimen of which you have been favored through the customary 
kindness of its successful cultivator. A native of Guiana, Bolivia, 
and other sultry parts of tropical America traversed by the rivers 
Amazon and Parana, the natural habits of this superb aquatic de- 
mand for its full growth and floral development greater horticultural 
resources than any other plant has yet called for. From its pre- 
eminent beauty, great size, and rarity, it has been styled the " Queen 
of Flowers," and seldom, if ever, has any mere ornamental plant 
excited so much attention and laid its admirers under such heavy 
contributions. 

It can only be raised in water of sufficient depth, and sends up stems 
from the bottom, each terminating in a circular leaf over six feet in dia- 
meter, and separate stems bearing superb double flowers of some four- 
teen to seventeen inches in width. Those who have not seen it may 
form some idea of the size and buoyancy of the leaf of the Victoria 
Regia when I tell them that I lately saw a lad, weighing over 50 lbs., 
stand upon one, which would probably have borne a still greater weight. 

The Victoria Regia was first discovered in South America, about 
the year 1801, by Haenke, a German naturalist, who continued his 
travels to Australia, and, unfortunately, died at the Philippine Islands. 
The specimens of the water-lily which he left, with descriptions, have 
never been brought to light until quite recently. Had Haenke lived 
to reach home, he Avould, doubtless, have introduced it into notice 
long before the present time. 

Almost the earliest published description of the Victoria Regia 
was given in 1832, when it was announced as having been found by 
another German botanist and traveler, M. Poeppig, in some little 
tributaries of the Amazon. 

So early as 1828, D'Orbigny, a distinguished French naturalist, 
sent home from South America some specimens of the gigantic water- 
lily to the Museum of Natural History in Paris. In the account of 



17 

his " Travels in Tropical America," published in 1835, he states 
that, whilst descending the Parana on the 3d of March, arriving at 
the junction of a small river, he saw a space more than a mile broad 
and nearly a mile long, covered with the large, round, floating leaves, 
each of which had a raised edge two inches high. Amid the expanse 
of foliage rose the broad flowers, upwards of a foot across, and either 
white, pink, or purple, always double, and diffusing a delicious odor. 
The fruit which succeeds these flowers he described as spherical, and 
half the size, when ripe, of the human head, full of roundish, fari- 
naceous seeds, which the natives collect, roast, and eat, from whence 
its Spanish name of Mais del Agua, or Water Maize. " I was never 
weary," says D'Orbigny, " of admiring this colossus of the vegetable 
kingdom, and reluctantly pursued my way to Corrientes, after col- 
lecting specimens of the flowers, fruits, and seeds." 

The celebrated botanist, Sir Robert Schomberg, found the plant 
in Guiana, in 1837, when exploring that country for the Royal Geo- 
graphical Society of London ; and it was he who conferred upon it 
the name of his Queen. It is right to observe that, though commonly 
called a Water Lily, the Victoria Regia does not belong to the Lily 
tribe, but to the family of Nelmnbiacese, a natural order of exogenous 
plants, associated by some writers with the Nyinphoeacese or water 
lilies, which they very much resemble in appearance and habits. The 
best known species is the Nelumbium Speciosum, a magnificent aquatic 
plant, to be seen floating on the surface of the slow-moving rivers and 
streams of all the warmer parts of Asia, and also along the Nile. 
Its fleshy stems are eaten as food by the poorer classes in China, 
where, as well as in Hindostan, the flower is held in high esteem, 
and even dedicated by an idolatrous sect to one of its principal female 
divinities. But the Nelumbium Speciosum is found in great beauty 
quite at home, namely, about a mile south of the City of Philadelphia, 
in the eastern part of what is there called "The Neck." 

The notices just referred to, first made the Victoria Regia exten- 
sively known in Europe, so far as this could be done by descriptions 
and delineations. It now only remained to introduce the plant itself, 
and this was partially effected through the aid of Mr. Bridges, an 
English naturalist of distinction. This gentleman states that in the 
summer of 1845, on a shooting excursion, whilst at Moxos, in Boli- 
via, he had the good fortune to come suddenly upon a beautiful pond, 
or rather small lake, embosomed in the forest, where, to his delight 
and astonishment he discovered the queen of aquatics, at least 
2 



18 

fifty flowers of which were in view at one time. He says that Bel- 
zoni could not have felt more rapture at his Egyptian discoveries, 
than he did in beholding the beautiful and novel sight before him. 
He describes it as growing in water from four to six feet deep, and 
producing flowers which rapidly decay and give place to others. In 
• parts of the lake where the plants were most numerous, the immense 
circular leaves almost covered the water, one leaf touching the other. 
He saw a beautiful aquatic bird walking with ease from leaf to leaf. 
The blossoms rose from six to eight inches above the surface of the 
water, expanding first in the evening when they are a pure white, 
changing finally, and by exposure to the sun, to a most beautiful 
pink or rose color. Hence flowers may be observed at the same 
time, partaking of every tinge between the two hues. The largest 
flowers he saw measured from ten inches to a foot in diameter, whilst 
the leaves were over six feet wide. Such was the enthusiasm with 
which this naturalist was inspired by the first sight of this superb 
aquatic, that it was difficult for him to restrain the impulse to dash 
into the water and secure it at once, although fully aware of the 
presence of those ferocious monsters by which it is generally attended, 
as if to guard its precincts — I mean the great cayman, or alligator, 
the terrors of which have been so powerfully described by the gifted 
pen of Humboldt. 

This lily is not found in rivers where the water is subject to con- 
siderable rises and falls, but is to be met with in lakes and lagoons 
with little circulation or fluctuation. As the Victoria Reo;ia has 
been found in the rivers Manore*, Berbice, and Parana, the first and 
last named of which are separated at their mouths by 35° of longi- 
tude, it is, like most aquatics, a plant of wide distribution. Mr. 
Bridges is certainly entitled to the gratitude of botanists and ama- 
teur florists for having first succeeded in introducing the Victoria 
Regia into England, which he effected in 1846, by preserving the 
seeds in wet clay, enveloped in dried leaves. I have spoken of his 
success as partial, because, though some of the seeds forwarded by 
him to England grew, the plants from them never bore flowers. The 
seeds which gave plants that produced the first flowers, were sent to 
Kew Garden from South America by Doctors Hughes Rodie, and 
Luckie. They were put up in vials filled with pure water, by which 
means they reached their destination in complete preservation. 
And thus was the Victoria Regia at length brought first to its perfect 
development in Europe, under the auspices of the Duke of Devonshire, 



19 

at his garden at Chats-worth. Seed planted here on the 3d of 
August, showed the first flower, three months afterwards, namely, 
the 8th of November. This was justly considered a highly important 
horticultural event, and did not fail to produce a great sensation. 
Perfect success in the culture of this superb plant was soon after- 
wards attained at several other celebrated English Gardens. 

The first attempt made in Europe to develop the flower of the 
Victoria Regia, ended as we have just stated, in disappointment. 
The seeds germinated and the leaves expanded, but no efflorescence 
took place. These abortive efforts led horticulturists to study more 
closely the circumstances under which the plant is found in its 
natural habitats. The oozy soil was prepared, the proper depth of 
water provided in the Aquarium, or artificial pool, and this was duly 
enclosed under glass so as to secure a tropical temperature. Still, 
the exotic refused to flower. At last it was suggested that the water 
required to be agitated, by which means the expanded leaves floating 
upon it would be refreshed and invigorated, just as breathing animals 
are when ventilated by currents of air. The necessary motion to 
the surface-water was readily imparted for the experiment, by the aid 
of a small water-wheel, turned by the stream supplying the Aqua- 
rium, and in due time efflorescence ensued. This was the last link 
to the chain of devices by which art sought to force this great natural 
curiosity into her domain. Behold now, half a century after her first 
discovery by Haenke, the Flower Queen, which during countless ages 
had bloomed only for the rude savage in lagoons, and almost inac- 
cessible wilds, brought at last to display her effulgent beauties, and 
shed her exquisite fragrance in the courts and centres of highest 
civilization and refinement. 

The horticultural triumph, of which I have attempted to give you 
a short description, as it has been recently achieved in Europe, with 
the aid of the science, skill, and wealth there so abundant, has been 
promptly repeated on this side of the Atlantic by Mr. Caleb Cope, 
President of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, with whose com- 
pany we arc favored on the present occasion. When it is considered 
that in Europe, the aid of princely munificence has been called into 
requisition in obtaining the first successful developments of the Vic- 
toria Regia at Chatsworth, Kew, and Zion House, the horticultural 
feat accomplished by our tasteful and spirited fellow-citizen, must be 
the more highly appreciated. The eclat of Mr. Cope's achievement 
is only equalled by the kindness he has displayed, not only towards 



20 

his personal friends, but the public at large, to all of -whom his su- 
perb conservatory has been freely opened. More than this, many 
Horticultural Exhibitions have, like the present, been supplied by 
him during the blooming period, with flowers and leaves of the 
Victoria Regia, which has greatly extended the gratification furnished 
by a sight so perfectly unique. 

On the 21st of last March, Mr. Cope planted in seed-pans four 
seeds obtained from England, through the kindness of Sir Wm. J. 
Hooker. Three of these grew, and one of the plants was, on the 
21st of May, transferred to a circular basin about twenty-five feet in 
diameter, enclosed in a glazed house erected expressly for the pur- 
pose. There it has been kept in water maintained at the tepid tem- 
perature of 75° to 85° Fahrenheit. The depth of water in the tank 
or basin is about two and a half feet, and the oozy soil at the bottom, 
into which the roots of the plant expands, is about the same depth. 
It is worthy of notice that the first leaves produced did not exhibit 
the turned-up edge, or salver-shape, which contributes such an uncom- 
mon appearance to the plant, until about twenty-four had grown. 
Ever since that period the leaves have been salvered as quickly as 
they expanded. The development of a leaf, on first raising to the 
surface of the water, presents a most curious sight, not easily de- 
scribed. Rolled into a body of a brownish color, and covered with 
thorny spines, it might readily be taken for some large species of 
sea-urchin. The under side of the leaves, as well as the long stems, 
by which the flowers and leaves seem anchored in the water, are 
thickly covered with thorns about three-quarters of an inch long. 
On the 21st of August, just five months from planting the seed, a 
flower was developed, and the success of the interesting enterprise 
thus fully crowned. 

As yet Mr. Cope has brought forward only one of the three plants 
produced from the four seeds. But this has continued not only to 
keep his tank, large as it is, always covered by its immense leaves, 
some measuring six and a half feet in diameter — many of which have 
from time to time been removed and replaced by fresh ones — but also 
furnished two flowers a week since the first blooming. Some of 
these flowers have measured seventeen inches in diameter. The 
petals always open early in the evening, and partially close about 
midnight. During the daytime, therefore, the Victoria Regia is 
seldom seen in fullest splendor, unless when removed from the parent 
stem. 



21 



If the development of the leaves of the Victoria Regia present 
such a singular appearance, the successive movements or changes in 
the flower are not less extraordinary and far more beautiful 

The crimson bud, which for several days has been seen rising, at 
last reaches the surface and throws off its external investment in the 
evening, soon after which the flower petals suddenly unfold the ex- 
panded blossom, like a mammoth magnolia, floating upon the surface 
ot the water, decked in virgin white, and exhaling a powerful and 
peculiar fragrance which has been compared to the mingled odors of 
the pineapple and melon. On the morning of the second day an- 
other change is observed and the outer petals of the flower are 
found turned backward or reflexed, leaving a central portion of a 
conical shape surrounded by a range of petals, white on the outside 
but red within. A slight tint of pink is discernible through the in- 
terstices of these petals, which increases as the day advances. In 
the evening, about five o'clock, the flower is seen to be again in active 
motion preparatory to another production. The white petals, which 
were reflexed in the early part of the day, now resume their original 
upright position, as if to escort their gay colored companions sur- 
rounding the central cone to the limpid surface below. After this 
the immaculate white of first bloom changes to gay and brilliant pink 
and rose colors. Finally, a third change ensues, marked by the 
spreading of the petals further backwards, so as to afford the en- 
closed fructifying organs liberty to expand. These are soon seen to 
rise, giving to the disk of the flower a peach-blossom hue, the stamens 
and pistils at the same time assuming a figure not unlike that of the 
old regal crown of England. On the third day the flower is nearly 
closed. All the petals seem suffused with a purplish pink ; the color- 
ing matter, which was originally only seen in the centre, having appa- 
rently penetrated the delicate tissues of the entire flower. 

The leaves exhibited here do not belong to the plant which pro- 
duced the magnificent flower before you, but were taken from a 
garden-tank in which Mr. Cope has brought forward the lily under 
glass, without the assistance of stove-heat. It is true this lily has 
not yet bloomed, but the fine development of leaves gives reason to 
believe that, with the aid of a warmer sun than they have in England, 
the Victoria Regia may be brought to perfection in this comitry^ 
even without artificial heat. In order to give it every advantage, it 
will still be necessary to start the plants in seed-pan; placed in hot- 
beds, or heated conservatories. 



22 

In concluding this brief account of the Victoria Regia, I may ob- 
serve that to German and French scientific explorers of primeval 
forests is due the honor of first discovery and description, whilst to 
British activity and perseverance we are indebted for the introduc- 
tion of this great floral prize into England, from whence it has been 
brought to our own country. Mr. Cope has succeeded in his first 
experiment in producing the Victoria Regia with larger leaves and 
flowers than any yet reported as having been raised in Europe. In 
his conservatory floats the Queen of Flowers in all her beauty, at- 
tended by her natural but strange-looking subjects, the orchids, 
suspended around in groups, and mingling their fragrance with her 
own. In fact, the whole scene presented in the lily-house is unique 
and highly impressive, well calculated to awaken poetical conceptions, 
among which it is easy to imagine a shrine consecrated to an oriental 
goddess, or grotto dedicated to water-nymphs, and presided over by 
iEgle, the fairest of the Naiades. 

In concluding, I must congratulate the members of the Delaware 
Horticultural Society on the successful floral display made here to- 
day ; and more especially the lady patronesses, whose zeal and 
assiduity have mainly contributed to the brilliant result. If there be 
significance in flowers, as exponents of the states of civilization and 
refinement — and who can doubt the truth of the test — your exhibi- 
tion presents a most gratifying evidence of the high mental culture 
and good taste prevailing in this community, and to no one does such 
a conviction afford more pleasure than to myself. 



Note. — On the 7th of October Mr. Cope's lily had just expanded its 
twelfth flower, and the fortieth leaf reached the surface. The salvar 
edge, which first appeared with the twenty-fourth leaf, was much less 
marked, probably owing to the partially exhausted condition of the 
plant after such a luxuriant development of leaf and flower. For 
several weeks there were two flowers a week ; and with each flower 
a new leaf. The plant has already accomplished wonders ; nor do 
its labors yet seem ended. Two more flower-buds are visible, and 
under the genial influences by which it is surrounded, there would 
seem to be no reason why it should not continue to furnish many 
more blossoms. 



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